Projects Underway

Cascadilla Boathouse Restoration

is an ongoing, multi-phase process. Built in 1894, the Cascadilla Boathouse is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The City of Ithaca, Cascadilla Boat Club and Friends of Stewart Park are working together to paint the building’s shingle-style exterior to help preserve and protect the structure. The City replaced the building’s roof in 2015, and an interpretive panel recounting the building’s history was installed on its exterior in 2013.See a detailed description in PDF format here.

Paddling improvements

are underway to improve Stewart Park and public lake access. Stewart Park was identified as one of Ithaca’s canoe and kayak launch sites in the recently completed Cayuga Lake Blueway Trail Master Plan. This year, the City installed lockable storage racks for canoes, kayaks and racing shells that are available for $100 – 130 per space and has contracted with Paddle ‘n More to provide rentals of kayaks and paddleboards and classes. During the winter of 2016 and 2017, Blueway Trail Launch Improvements will be implemented at the Cascadilla Boathouse and at the east end of the park.See a detailed description in PDF format here.

The Picnic Pavilion

is the public face of Stewart Park for many Ithacans and has been the home of the Stewart Park Day Camp, which has served children from Ithaca and Tompkins County over the past thirty years. Age and heavy use have taken a toll on this beautiful shingle-style building and major renovations are now underway. Volunteers have painted the building’s exterior and city crews have repaired columns. The city of Ithaca rebuilt the bathrooms with support from the Town of Ithaca and the Topmkins County Tourism Program. On the spring of 2016, 3 north-facing semi-circular door and window units were restored. Funds are now being raised by the Friends of Stewart Park to complete building restoration.See a detailed description in PDF format here.